Government to assist minority students

The good news is that the government is offering students from minority communities free coaching for admission in various technical and professional courses like IT and business management.

The other courses included in the scheme under the Prime Minister's 15-Point Programme for the welfare of minorities in India are medical, engineering and law, states the plan document of the ministry of minority affairs. The scheme undertakes competitive examinations for recruitment to government posts, including police, security forces, public sector undertakings, railways, banks and insurance companies.

According to the ministry, the government has invited proposals from private institutes to conduct the coaching. The selected centres would be given a grant permissible under the scheme.The scheme aims to assist the minority communities, which are relatively disadvantaged section of society, by enhancing their skills and capabilities to make them employable in industries, services and business sectors.

All institutes in the government sector, including universities and autonomous bodies, engaged in coaching and training activities can apply for the scheme. Besides, private universities and colleges, including deemed universities, can also apply.The candidates who seek coaching at selected centres should have secured the requisite marks in the qualifying examination.Only candidates belonging to the minority communities with a total family income from all sources not exceeding Rs.2.50 lakh per annum will be eligible.

Benefits of coaching/training under the scheme can be availed by a particular student once only, irrespective of the number of chances he or she may be entitled to in a particular competitive examination.The last date for submitting the proposals by institutes is 31 May 2011.